Sue Myrick: “back home in Charlotte, we have many successes in moving people off of welfare--because we have created programs that…”

“back home in Charlotte, we have many successes in moving people off of welfare--because we have created programs that work best for the folks in our community. As mayor of Charlotte, I worked closely with many people who found themselves needing the helping hand of welfare assistance. Many people on welfare are young, single mothers. In working with them, I learned what kind of help they need to become self-sufficient. Our bill will offer them exactly that form of help. It will restore power and flexibility to the States, confirming our commitment to send power, money, and influence back home--and finally get Washington bureaucrats out of the picture so we can design our own programs at home. It will help young mothers obtain jobs so they can feel good about themselves, and their kids can be proud of them. Child care is one of their major concerns. Our bill has specific provisions for child care assistance. I was a working mom and I know that it is difficult to go out in search of a better life when you have your kids to care for. It will also ensure that children receive nutritious meals at school through the school breakfast and lunch programs, as well as the special milk program. Our bill will offer protections, as well as assistance, by assuring that certain vulnerable people--such a pregnant women and people certified as physically or mentally unable to work--are exempt from the work requirement.”